# Stupid Republican idea of the day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897 "2009-03-26T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 655
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13081 "2014-02-24T21:00:21Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > [What the Hell, Arizona?](http://wonkette.com/542547/arizona-state-senator-will-protect-children-from-freaky-weird-math-that-includes-letters) **Gyrate** [brought this one up](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17131416&postcount=12998) a couple of days ago, but your link has a time-traveling pony doing calculus, which I think really underscores the point well. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13082 "2014-02-24T21:07:20Z")
> [@Askthepizzaguy](#): > > I was about to top it all off with a “and guess what else? \*sunlight \*causes cancer!” joke, but it uh, does. > > So I’m going to continue to stay inside and slather sunscreen all over myself just in case the roof caves in, narrowly missing my nude sunscreen-slathered body but exposing me to horrible, horrible, cancer-causing natural light. > > I’m so white that I went past it into off-white again. Apparently we have been so careful about staying out of the sun to avoid getting skin cancer that many people nowadays aren’t getting enough Vitamin D, which is stimulated by direct sunlight. You should go for a walk at lunch time. [Cite 1](http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/vitamin-d-deficiency) [Cite 2](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-frank-lipman/vitamin-d-health-why-you_b_619558.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13083 "2014-02-24T21:07:26Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > These politicians who want to label fluoridated water, do they also want to label GMO food? Well, no. That would kill jobs. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13084 "2014-02-24T21:30:41Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Well, no. That would kill jobs. It would also be misleading to label GMO “food.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13085 "2014-02-24T21:34:24Z")
> [@](#): > > … the latest science confirms that ingested fluoride lowers the I.Q. in children. That’s just how they gauge intelligence in Kansas; they go ahead and assume whoever has the fewest teeth must be the smartest. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13086 "2014-02-24T22:27:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Wingnuts of the Week: Friday Roundup.](http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017177006) Most of them already covered in this thread, but I think [this one](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/20/mcconnell-opponent-bevin-suggests-gay-marriage-could-lead-to-parents-marrying-children/) is news: Matt Bevin, the Tea Party challenger to Mitch McConnell, says gay marriage could open the way to parents marrying their children. It’s true, my wife’s father married her. He married me too. He married both of us! And he calls himself a minister! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13087 "2014-02-24T23:56:59Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > It’s true, my wife’s father married her. He married me too. He married both of us! And he calls himself a minister! So you’re your own grandpa? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13088 "2014-02-25T02:15:02Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Michele Bachmann says Obama was elected because of[white guilt towards blacks](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/20/bachmann-americans-not-anxious-for-a-woman-president/?tid=hpModule_ba0d4c2a-86a2-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394): [Yeah, right.](http://www.salon.com/2014/02/24/michele_bachmanns_political_analysis_is_moronic_and_the_republican_party_knows_it/) > [@](#): > > Bachmann is of course wrong. From exit polling, we know who voted for Barack Obama, and it wasn’t a wave of guilt-induced white people. In 2008, Obama won 43 percent of the white vote. In 2012, he won 39 percent of it. These are roughly the same percentages of white votes that Al Gore got in 2000 (42 percent) and that John Kerry got in 2004 (41 percent). As they typically do for Democratic presidential candidates, whites voted against Barack Obama by a landslide. > > Obama rode to victory, not on the wings of white guilt, but on a swell of support from people of color. In 2004, 70 percent of people of color voted for John Kerry. In the 2008 and 2012 elections, that figure rocketed to 80 percent. This increased margin of support combined with an increased level of non-white turnout to deliver Obama decisive electoral majorities. > > Although Bachmann may be confused on this point, the strategic leaders of the Republican party certainly aren’t. The darkening of the American electorate — and the decline in Republican power it entails — has been met head on with coordinated efforts to disenfranchise non-white voters and Democratic voters more generally. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13089 "2014-02-25T02:55:13Z")
[Virginia Republican says pregnant women are “hosts,” even if some people “refer to them as mothers”.](http://www.salon.com/2014/02/24/virginia_republican_says_pregnant_women_are_hosts_even_if_some_people_refer_to_them_as_mothers/) So, a fetus is a parasite? Better kill it before it gets any bigger! ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13090 "2014-02-25T03:22:08Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Yeah, right.](http://www.salon.com/2014/02/24/michele_bachmanns_political_analysis_is_moronic_and_the_republican_party_knows_it/) People still bother to fact-check Michele Bachmann to make sure she’s talking out of her ass? How quaint. I wonder if it’s like when they do studies to see if banging a brick against your head is bad, on the remote off chance the answer is counter intuitive, like banging the brick loosens plaque in your teeth or Michele Bachmann isn’t 100 percent wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13091 "2014-02-25T03:50:27Z")
I guess the Kansas legislature doesn’t care if they get made stupid by naturally-occuring fluoride in their water, only if it’s artificially added. My cynicism exploded on the story of the Arizona legislator who wants to take back his vote on the anti-gay bill. I think he just wants to be able to tell his constituents that he voted for it, without having the state suffer the consequences, such as boycotts and lawsuits. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13092 "2014-02-25T04:38:41Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > [What the Hell, Arizona?](http://wonkette.com/542547/arizona-state-senator-will-protect-children-from-freaky-weird-math-that-includes-letters) > [@](#): > > Substituting letters for numbers? Sounds like some kind of freaky Arab plot, like this “zero” thing that has caused our children to stop using Roman numerals. Thank goodness Melvin paid attention to the briefing memo, “Al Gebra Determined to Strike in U.S.” :smack: for Melvin. It is amusing that there are billboards in Phoenix for a local contractor company that tells customers to not hire clueless fellows that only will make a mess, their slogan: “Don’t hire a Melvin!” This guy is planing to run for governor. I will have to work to prevent his hiring. And one has to go 😃 for Wonkette’s “Al Gebra” line. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13093 "2014-02-25T05:12:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I know, but don’t tell Sister that. She thinks Paul VI is still Pope. She would’ve gone with John Paul I, but he didn’t stick around long enough to take. The rest, well, they all have that unfortunate non-Italianness that keeps them from being REAL popes. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13094 "2014-02-25T11:20:27Z")
Alabama, tired of Arizona trying to steal its thunder, is at it again, although I’m not sure [which part of this actually contains the most Stupid](http://www.11alive.com/news/article/322551/40/Alabama-legislators-pass-bill-requiring-teachers-to-pray-in-public-school-). > [@](#): > > By way of a voice vote, the House Education Policy Committee passed a bill that would require teachers to recite Christian prayers in public schools every day, even though the majority of members did not vote for it. So this panel 1) approved a bill REQUIRING prayer in public schools, and 2) did it despite a majority of panel members voting against it. > [@](#): > > Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, R-Indian Springs, chairwoman of the committee, said she heard more votes in favor of the bill. > > “It’s what I heard as chairman,” she said. > > Reps. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, Elaine Beech, D-Chatom, and Phil Williams, R-Huntsville, all voted against the bill. Reps. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, and Kerry Rich, R-Albertville, did not vote at all. > > The only two to vote in favor of the bill were McClurkin and Rep. Lesley Vance, R-Phenix City. So I guess the Stupid resides in Rep. MClurkin, who doesn’t understand that two is less than three, nor that this bill is so blatantly unconstitutional that even Clarence Thomas might rule against it. What’s that, Rep. McClurkin? You’re a corrupt moron who should be removed from office immediately? I’m pretty sure that’s what I heard you say. Did anyone else hear that? It’s definitely what I heard. Oh and there’s the other bill mentioned in the article which makes legal a bunch of stuff that’s already legal, which is also kind of dumb. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13095 "2014-02-25T11:55:17Z")
> [@](#): > > The bill, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, would require teachers to spend no more than 15 minutes in the first class of each day **to read, verbatim, opening prayers said before a meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate**. I think it’s genius. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13096 "2014-02-25T12:19:14Z")
Boy, sure a good thing that every school kid in Alabama is a Christian! Even better, they are all congregants of Christian denominations that hold identical views on the nature of prayer, and the proper conduct thereof. Naturally, I would prefer a Unitarian version, one that starts with “To Whomsoever it may concern…” I have every confidence that the Baptist congregations will embrace the innovation with enthusiasm and joy! Me? Tequila and bongwater, why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13097 "2014-02-25T14:03:49Z")
We didn’t have daily prayers in school. (A Texas semi-rural district belonging to a Sundown community in which we did _not_ live. Graduated in '66–do the math.) Or Bible reading. Just the Pledgallegience & “My Country 'Tis of Thee.” But we had the occasional “invocation” at special events–usually given by Brother Whatever from one of the local Fundamentalist Establishments. I wondered why the tacked an extra bit on to the “Our Father.” And guessed that a “Hail Mary” would flip them all out. It’s all more diverse now… Oh, this is the Stupid Republican thread. It’s become impossible to watch local news without an emesis basin. Because of all the ads for Republicans acting all[More Batshit Than Thou.](http://www.texasobserver.org/texas-republican-primary-jockeying/)… ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13098 "2014-02-25T14:33:49Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > What’s that, Rep. McClurkin? You’re a corrupt moron who should be removed from office immediately? I’m pretty sure that’s what I heard you say. Did anyone else hear that? It’s definitely what I heard. What, you quit listening before she got into her extensive personal reminiscences on whether rams or billy goats are a better lay? That was the best part! Anyhoo, moving up to the larger stage, we have [Bobby Jindal’s loud fart in church](http://swampland.time.com/2014/02/24/jindal-breaches-white-house-protocol-to-take-shots-at-obama/), followed up by responding to the stinkeye glares with a pelvic thrust and crotch grab. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13099 "2014-02-25T15:16:01Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > …nor that this bill is so blatantly unconstitutional that even Clarence Thomas might rule against it. Let’s not go nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/13100 "2014-02-25T16:04:21Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Anyhoo, moving up to the larger stage, we have [Bobby Jindal’s loud fart in church](http://swampland.time.com/2014/02/24/jindal-breaches-white-house-protocol-to-take-shots-at-obama/), followed up by responding to the stinkeye glares with a pelvic thrust and crotch grab. It’s so _cute_ whenever a GOP Presidential wannabee does his little “Lookit me, I’m insulting Obama!” act in order to signal his intention to run. Incredibly asinine and immature, but cute. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=654) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=656)